The winter months are a good time to take a break from the chores to attend one of the many educational programs offered by the Penn State Cooperative Extension. A brief description of several upcoming meetings is listed below.

• Farm Estate Planning -¿ A one day program focusing on estate planning for farm families has been planned for Jan. 29. The program will be held at Brown's Country Kitchen in Portersville beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Topics of discussion will include tax consequences of a farm transfer, choosing an attorney, farmers' attitudes about succession and retirement planning, the legal aspects of farm succession planning, and personal financial planning for a secure retirement.

Featured speakers are John Becker, Penn State professor of agricultural economics and law; Mark Giallonardo, tax manager with Hill, Barth & King Inc.; John Reed, financial planner; and attorney Robert Clark.

The registration fee of $10 per person includes lunch. Registration deadline is Jan. 25.

• Beef Management Workshop Series -¿ A series of meetings for area beef producers will be held Feb. 14, 21 and 28 at the Wesley Grange located about 1 mile north of Interstate 80. Each of the three sessions will begin at 7 p.m.

The first session will focus on the future of the cattle industry and will feature Tom Brink, senior vice president of Five Rivers Ranch Cattle Feeding. Feeding cattle in the East will be the focus of the second session conducted by Steve Boyles, Ohio State University Extension beef team leader. The series will conclude with a discussion on calves, grass, and marketing with Phil Osborne from West Virginia University and Creed Ward of West Virginia Cattlemen.

Registration deadline is Feb. 8. The fee is $10 per person per session and includes materials and refreshments.

• Butler County Crops Day ¿ The annual crops day program will be held Feb. 12 at the East Butler Fire Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program will provide two core and two category 01 credits toward pesticide license recertification.

Strategies for dealing with high fertilizer prices, what's new in agronomic weed control, and farm family pesticide exposure will be the topics covered by speakers Doug Beegle, Penn State soil specialist; Dwight Lingenfelter, Penn State weed specialist; and Kevin Fry, Armstrong County Extension educator.

Registrations are required. Deadline is Feb. 8. The fee of $15 per person includes lunch and program materials.

For a copy of the brochure and a registration form for any of these educational opportunities, contact the Butler County Extension office at 724-287-4761.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Home complex.